How To Create An Authentic Pinata (Post 3 of 3)

In this post I will show you the final steps to creating an authentic paper-mâché Mario piñata. This post will focus on decorating the dried paper-mâché structure made from post 1 and post 2. This is a process that has many steps, but I made sure to include many pictures so that you can follow along and achieve the same result. As I stated before I will list the piñata for sale in an auction. If anyone is interested you can click on the link in the right column, and it will take you to Cool Party Elements ebay store. Happy bidding, if you do decide to take part in the auction.

Now let’s get back to the piñata. In order to complete the Mario piñata you will need the following:

• Peach, Brown & Red Tissue Paper or crepe paper
• Scissors
• Kitchen knife
• Glue
• Water
• Paintbrush
• Black yarn
• Hot glue gun
• Reference picture of Mario (this helps with guaging where to place eyes, mouth, etc.)
• Print out face pieces (print mouth, print eyes)

Start by cutting 1”x 1” squares from all three colors. Next, mix glue and water together (roughly about 1 Tbl. Water added, to 2Tbl. Glue). Mix well using paintbrush.

Normally when making a piñata, I like to stuff confetti inside the pieces that make up the piñata. I omitted the entire step for this demonstration though. However if I had done so, in this case It would’ve been the cheeks and the nose that would have been stuffed with confetti. I do this by slicing a small cut into the cheek. I then stuff in coordinating colored confetti, and then seal the slice using hot glue. Once the glue is dry I use paper-mâché mixture and small strips of plain news print to cover the visible slice. After it is dry then I begin applying tissue paper squares to the piñata.

Using the paintbrush, apply the glue mixture all around the face of piñata. Next place peach tissue paper squares onto the glue mixture, slightly overlapping one another. Then use paintbrush to push tissue paper square down. Use a bit of glue mixture to brush on top of the tissue paper square. This will form a seal once it dries.

Continue covering entire face area of the Mario piñata while trying not to have too much excess tissue paper overlapping. With light color tissue paper like peach tones, the more pieces you layer on top, the darker that area becomes. You may notice small areas that are not covered, cut smaller pieces of tissue paper and use them to cover the small areas that are uncovered. Make sure to seal the pieces down using the paint brush and a small amount of glue mixture. Once the entire face area is covered with peach tissue paper squares, seal down with glue mixture. Let dry completely.

Next the hat will be covered using the same technique. Using the paintbrush, apply the glue mixture all around the hat area of piñata. Next place red tissue paper squares onto the glue mixture, slightly overlapping one another. Then use paintbrush to push tissue paper square down. Use a bit of glue mixture to brush on top of the tissue paper square. This will form a seal, once dry.

Now we will need to draw lightly Mario’s side burns. Check your reference picture of Mario to help with placement and shape. Make sure you draw both sides. Try to keep them even. Now, apply glue mixture inside the sideburn lines. I find it easiest when I cut a few tissue paper squares to match the roundness of the sideburn curves. Fit tissue paper pieces carefully to stay inside the lines. Continue on to the back side of the head. Once the hair area of the piñata is covered, use a bit of glue mixture to brush on top of the tissue paper square. This will form a seal, once dry.

Now, take a couple sheets of tissue paper and fold them together. From this layered bunch, cut strips that are about 1 ½” in height (length varies based on how you made your folds). Now use the scissors to fringe the edges of the strips. Cut about 1” from bottom of strip upward, careful not to cut all the way. I like to make a slightly shorter strip for the sideburns. It makes them look slightly bushier. Cut and fringe strips of red tissue paper also.

Now it is time to apply the fringed strips to the piñata. To do this, start from the bottom of the piñata and make glue lines. Leaving a 1/2 “ space between. Make several glue lines. Unfold the tissue paper fringed strips, separating a single strip from the others. Start from one side, placing the edge of the strip onto the glue lines. Lightly press the edge down along the glue line. When you get to the end of the line, use the scissors to cut off. Continue doing this until entire hair area is covered in fringe tissue paper including the sideburns.

Now it is time for a little hair cut. Use small tipped scissors to trim around the sideburns and ears. There is really no wrong way to do this, just go slow. Use the brown colored area lines as your guides.

Cover the hat area with fringe following the same technique as above. When you get to a bumpy area on the hat, I like to put double glue lines. The extra glue helps keep the fringe close to formation of the piñata. Otherwise the fringe goes everywhere and the piñata starts to loose its definition.

The hat fringe will need a slight trim as well as the brim of the hat.

Next you will need to apply the eyes, eyebrows and mouth. You can make your own or in case you are short on time I included my personal template printout. Print out the face pieces (Mouth, Eyes).

Once you have the printouts, Cut out all the pieces.

We will start with placing the eyes. I recommend using your reference picture to help you place the eyes. Look at the picture and try to see where are the eyes in reference to the nose. You have the nose already placed on the piñata, so use this and base the placement of the eyes on the nose. Once you know where you will place the eyes, use the paintbrush to apply a small amount of glue mixture and position eyes. Next place the eyebrows in reference to the eyes. Use the glue mixture to adhere eyebrows.

Apply the glue mixture onto the back of the “M” hat patch. Cut out the mouth, and position onto the piñata with glue mixture. Your piñata may vary slightly in size, so you might need to make small adjustment to the size of the mouth to fit your piñata.

Now for the last and most important thing...the mustache. You can choose to simply cut and glue on, or you can add more dimension to the mustache using yarn. This is pretty simple to do. First you need to make the mustache shape sturdier. To do this use card board from a cereal box or similar product. Glue the mustache down to the card board. Let dry completely. Cut out. Now take black yarn and begin to line it up making many loops back and forth. Once you have done about 20-25 loops, cut. Use a small string of yarn to tie tightly in the center. Now use your scissors to cut through both sides of the loop ends.

Use a hot glue gun to glue the yarn to the mustache shape. Trim the yarn to match the shape of the mustache. Add small amounts of hot glue where needed to keep ends of yarn in place. To match the same look, I went ahead and glued yarn onto the eyebrows as well. This is a perfect way to use up those scraps you just trimmed off from the mustache. Make any trims necessary so that yarn doesn’t’ look messy. Try to keep edges glued down and aligned with eyebrow line.

This is the final step, cutting a flap into the piñata. This flap/hole will be where goodies can be inserted into the piñata. Carefully use a kitchen knife to cut a flap into the back of the piñata. Look to see which direction your string is running before you make any cuts. Make sure to not cut through the mason string. And there you have it a completely authentic paper-mâché piñata.

From start to finish you could complete this piñata in about 1 weeks time. The most important thing is to always let the paper-mâché dry before moving on to the next step. Hope you have fun with making your piñata.

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Click to read previous post: How To Create An Authentic Pinata (Post 1 of 3)

Click to read previous post: How To Create An Authentic Pinata (Post 2 of 3)

Comments

[Ivanna at http://www.snapparties.com]

Wow! That looks great!

[michelle resto]

loooooove it...so genius and neat

[jackie price]

I LOVE THIS!! I am going to use this outline to make Alvin and the Chipmunk heads for a Christmas Chipmunk Theme in our parade! All I need to change is the nose, ears sizes and skin colors. THANK YOU SO MUCH for this helpful guide!! The cheeks and mouth, and over all head outline are exactly what I was looking for. KUDOS

[VALDRIN]

this is awesome
i need this for a project
for school
ty very much

[Ruth]

This is soooo amazing, you're very talented. Thanks so much for posting the instructions:)

[Emily]

AMAZING. i lovve love love it all your ideas. my sons first birthday party is coming up and it's mario themed.

i'm cheap so i made all the invitations, and bought the plates/forks from the dollar store. and all these ideas are PERFECT! i love it :) thanks

[Kim]

do you sell these? i'm not crafty.

[Carie ~ Cool Party Blogger]

I do take custom orders. Just click on "Cool Party Pinatas" on the right. There you are able to submit a custom order pinata based on your party theme.

[Aimee Baxter]

Hi your pinatas are amazing. Can I ask how many layers I should do. My boys love mario brothers but are 5 and 11. I am going to make them each one but obviously the 11 yrs olds need to be stronger? What do you suggest

thanks
Alison

[Dee]

These instructions are fantastic! I made Mario for my son's 9th Birthday and it was a HUGE hit! I plan to use this method to make Bernie Brewer (Milwaukee Brewers Mascot) in a few months. Thanks so much for sharing such detailed instruction!

[Carie ~ Cool Party Blogger]

Thanks for the nice comment!!
Be sure to show your "Cool Pics" of your Bernie Brewer pinata ventures. :o)
Can't wait to see...

[heidi]

Thanks for the great instructions on how to make Mario. I will be making a mario and a bowser for my sons bday. Wondering if you could tell me how to make the cones on bowser and the balloon size and placement. I have made a couple of pinatas and am excited to make these. Thanks!

[Lucci]

I saw the tutorial for the Mario pinata and was wondering if you have a tutorial for the Luigi pinata too. Thank You

[Carie ~ Cool Party Blogger]

Heidi,
Although I would like to help you with specifics, It is impossible for me to know what size your pinata started out and so I can't give you sizes or placemnt instruction. My best advice is to have a reference image nearby when you are making your Bowser Pinata so that you can make his spikes and horns all in proportion to the size of his head. Remember when it comes to creating something with true resemblance, proportion is everything!!!

[Carie ~ Cool Party Blogger]

Lucci,

Sorry I don't have posted instructions for the Luigi pinata. But I suggest the same process, but make sure you have an image reference nearby so that you can make the nose, ears and chin within the size reference of the Luigi Character. :o)

[Diana]

hello im from Holland and just wanna say that i loveee your site!!!

[Carie ~ Cool Party Blogger]

Wow, Holland! Thanks for your great comment and support from half way across the globe. :o)

[Mina]

I am so excited that I found your site. I had a Sonic vs Mario for my son's 7th bday and I wish I had known about your site. I would of loved to do so much more. I just love all of the work you have put into it.

He now wants a Kirby party, so I have 6 months to get it together ;) Told him it might be difficult, so he let me know that I could just do a Super Smash Bros Party instead :P
I'll let you know how it goes :D